Harassment regulation in Rockwood could change following students’ request

January 14, 2015556 Views

The Rockwood School District is considering updating language in a regulation on harassment.

The district’s policy and regulations on harassment were reviewed, to ensure they protected transgender students, after problem/issue/need forms were submitted to the district in October. Legal counsel reviewed both and determined the policy didn’t need to be revised because transgender students already are protected due to a ban on discrimination and harassment due to sex. However, district legal counsel also provided new language to the Board of Educaton, which it is considering.

Attorney Larry Wadsack told the board on Dec. 18 that he had reviewed federal and case law in regard to the issue.

“Title 9 protections against discrimination extend to gender identity and to kids who’ve chosen not to conform to gender stereotyping, so our current policy is legally adequate to protect them,” he said.

But he said the harassment regulation language should be revised and enhanced to add new and more specific language on transgender identity and expression and behaviors for which students shouldn’t be harassed.

Some of the new language states that examples of conduct which might constitute harassment because of gender include “verbal, nonverbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on gender or gender stereotyping including harassment based on exhibiting what is perceived as stereotypical characteristics for gender or failure to conform to gender stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.”

The superintendent’s cabinet is now finalizing review and approval of the suggested regulation language revisions.

“We all share common ground with students to ensure everyone is adequately covered against harassment, and this regulation language gives specifics requested by those with concerns,” Superintendent Eric Knost said.

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Kate Uptergrove

Kate joined West Newsmagazine as its managing editor in 2012. She added managing editor of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine to her title in 2014. Kate came to the Newsmagazine Network from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where she most notably served as the writer/editor of a variety of specialty magazines and sections, including Thrive, College Connection, Golden Age and The Workplace. Additionally, Kate has worked as a fundraising professional, aiding nonprofits across the country. She and her husband, Michael, have two dogs – a border collie named Linus, who competes with St. Louis Disc Dogs, and a chow-chow named Mingo.